The teenager had gathered that Sunday, July 30, 1967 with some friends and sisters to swim in the Chesapeake Bay waters. Diving into the bay seemed like a safe thing to do, but Joni Erickson was not aware of the shallowness of that water. As she struggled to rise to the surface, her sister had to assist her because she had no feeling in her arms. Indeed, after an emergency vehicle had taken her to the emergency room was it discovered that she had broken her neck. She was paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Understandably, she went through a horror of emotions in the first two years. The “why” answers were not being given by God or anyone else. She immersed herself in the Bible and there in that inspired book found both the strength to continue on and a purpose to continue living.

With her loving husband, Ken Tada by her side, whom she married in 1982, they began a ministry for the disabled called Joni and Friends. It is a world-wide organization which seeks to minister to those disabled to conquer life’s challenges, and especially to find the love of God through Christ.

Joni has had an autobiography in her book (“Joni”) , then in movie form, several musical albums, books galore, etchings — all to show that disabled people can have a ministry in the church and in the world. And as a member of the Presbyterian Church in America, she has had extraordinary opportunities to share her saving faith in all sorts of forums.

Even in her recent challenge of breast cancer, which she successfully endured, she is hopeful of a positive prognosis. God has not abandoned those with disabilities. All kinds of sufferings will “work together and will fit into a plan for good and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose.” (Amplified, Romans 8:28)

Words to Live By: Jesus, in one of the dinners he had been invited to while on earth, gave some instructions to his host. He, in Luke 14, told him “to invite the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind.” (v. 13) We have a ministry to these ones who are in desperate need of acceptance by the believers of today. Let’s plan on ways we can minister in word and deed to these ones, especially the disabled in our churches and neighborhoods. What can you do to show them hospitality?

WLC 135 — “What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?
A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are all careful studies and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thought and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just defence thereof against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit; a sober use of meat, drink, physical, sleep, labor, and recreations; by charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, kindness, peaceable, mild and courteous speeches and behavior; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil; comforting and succoring the distressed and protecting the defending the innocent.”

WSC 68 — “What is required in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.”

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Currently I’m building a database of our biographical files in the PCA Historical Center and came across this interesting item, a privately published edition of These Little Ones: What God Has Commanded Touching Their Church Membership, and What He has Graciously Promised Concerning Their Salvation, by Rev. William Scribner [1820-1884]. The work can be […]

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The School & Family Catechist Q.3. What do the Scriptures principally teach? The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning god, and what duty God requires of man. EXPLICATION. Principally. – Chiefly, above all other things. Duty. –Something which God requires of us, and which we are bound to perform. ANALYSIS. By this answer […]

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Today we present Rev. William Smith’s brief treatment of the second question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? A. The word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct […]

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The Cause Of The Doctrinal Trouble In The Northern Presbyterian Church (“Exploring Avenues Of Acquaintance And Co-operation”) By Chalmers W. Alexander Jackson, Miss. [THE SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN JOURNAL 8.13 (1 November 1949): 9-11.] This is the eighth in the series of articles by Chalmers W. Alexander under the heading, “Exploring Avenues of Acquaintance And Co-operation.” This informative series of […]